Seraphina Lysandor sat in the grand hall of Valtherion Academy, listening to the cold, precise words of Grandmaster Veridane. His voice echoed through the vast space, speaking of the academy's expectations, its rigorous schedule, and the trials that lay ahead for the students. But even as she listened, her mind was elsewhere.
The expectations placed on her were far heavier than those of any of the other students here. She wasn't just another noble heir—she was the heiress of the Lysandor family, a name that carried both power and prestige. Her golden aura alone had drawn attention from the moment she stepped onto the academy grounds, and the whispers that followed her hadn't stopped since.
Her father and mother had already laid out a strict schedule for her, one that included every class she was expected to take, every sub-class that would be beneficial to her, and even a list of extracurricular activities that would further bolster her reputation. There was no room for deviation, no room for personal choice.
Father expects nothing but perfection. And mother… well, she's the same.
Seraphina allowed herself a small sigh. The weight of their expectations pressed down on her like an invisible chain, binding her to a path she hadn't chosen. But she wasn't just bound by her family's expectations. Here, at Valtherion, she was under scrutiny from everyone.
From the moment she arrived, most of the female students had tried to befriend her. They approached her, smiled, and attempted small talk, drawn to her noble status and beauty. But Seraphina's cold, distant demeanor had quickly pushed them away. They had expected warmth, maybe even camaraderie, but all they got was a formal nod, a polite but detached response.
And so, the whispers began.
"She's so distant… does she think she's better than everyone else?"
"I heard she's from the Lysandor family, but she could at least try to be friendly."
"I guess she's the Ice Queen of Valtherion."
The title had stuck. Ice Queen. She overheard the name being passed around in hushed tones, but she didn't bother to correct them. After all, they weren't wrong. She had no intention of making friends, and she had no interest in engaging in trivial conversations.
Most of the male students avoided her too, though not for lack of interest. She could feel their eyes on her—some admiring her beauty, others gawking at her noble status. But the rumors about her cold demeanor, her lack of enthusiasm, had spread quickly. They described her as having "no personality," and once again, Seraphina couldn't help but agree.
No enthusiasm. No personality. She sighed internally. I wonder if they realize how exhausting it is to play this part.
...….
As the explanation for the academy's schedule concluded, Seraphina rose from her seat and began walking down the long halls of Valtherion. The Aetheris GPS flickered to life on her wrist, guiding her to her dorm room. The halls were grand, lined with intricately designed walls that seemed to pulse with magic. Students hurried past her, laughing and chatting in groups, but she walked alone.
She passed by a group of female students, their voices hushed as they glanced her way. She decided to make an effort, even if just for show. Seraphina greeted them with a polite nod, her voice cool and formal.
"Good afternoon."
The girls exchanged awkward glances, their smiles faltering. After a brief, uncomfortable pause, they returned her greeting half-heartedly before turning away. She could hear them whispering as she walked past, gossiping once again about her cold demeanor.
Ice Queen, they muttered under their breaths.
Seraphina kept walking, her expression unchanged. She was used to it by now. People always misunderstood her distance as arrogance, but it wasn't arrogance that kept her apart from others. It was necessity. She had a role to play, a reputation to maintain. There was no room for warmth or vulnerability.
As she walked, her thoughts drifted to the academy's schedule. Her parents had already chosen her classes, but the academy offered sub-classes and extracurricular activities. Perhaps she would attend one of the clubs, not out of interest, but simply to avoid returning home.
The more hours I spend here, the fewer I have to endure at home.
As Seraphina rounded a corner, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of laughter and conversation. She looked ahead and saw two boys walking down the hall, their voices carrying in the empty space.
The first boy caught her attention immediately. Jet black hair and dark blue eyes that shimmered slightly as he spoke. His face was lit up with curiosity and joy, his enthusiasm almost infectious. He seemed completely at ease, his laughter echoing down the hall. Her gaze lowering to the digital name tag displayed on his school uniform, saying Ash Braker.
Walking beside him was a boy with light brownish hair and bright amber eyes, his expression a stark contrast to Ash's. While Ash seemed to be enjoying their conversation, the other boy's face was neutral, his irritation barely concealed. His eyes scanned the hall with a look of impatience, as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Lucius Foster. Was what she read on his name tag, She had heard his name whispered earlier in the day, though he wasn't nearly as well-known as some of the other noble heirs. His aura, though not as impressive as hers, held a certain intensity. Yet it was his demeanor that intrigued her—so opposite to Ash's, and yet, the two walked side by side.
Seraphina stopped in her tracks, watching them from a distance. The contrast between the two boys was almost amusing—their polar opposite expressions, their contrasting energies. She tilted her head slightly, feeling a strange tinge in her chest.
What is this?
She pressed a palm to her chest, the feeling foreign and confusing. As the boys disappeared around the corner, their conversation fading from earshot, Seraphina stood there, staring at the now empty hall.
...
Moments passed, as Seraphina reached her dorm room.
It wasn't until she reached her dorm room, the heavy door sliding open with a soft hiss, that she finally understood what she had felt. Seraphina sat on the edge of her bed, her hand still resting over her chest.
Amusement.
The realization made her blink in surprise. She had been… amused. By those two boys in the hall. Their stark differences, the way they interacted—it had sparked something in her, something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time.
Seraphina sat quietly for a moment, letting the realization settle over her. Amusement. It was such a small, simple thing, but it was a feeling she hadn't experienced in years. Everything in her life had been so rigid, so controlled, that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be amused by something as mundane as a conversation between two strangers.
For the first time in what felt like forever, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. It was faint, barely noticeable, but it was there—a crack in the icy exterior she had built around herself.
Maybe this academy, won't be as monotonous as I thought.